Not passing Citizenship Bill 'defeat' for Assam: Sarma

The failure to pass the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday was described as a "defeat for Assam" by Health and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

"It is a defeat for Assam. My party and I extended full support to the Bill. We do not have majority in the Rajya Sabha, so the Bill could not be passed. Bangladeshi Muslims will occupy 17 constituencies of Lower and Central Assam now. The people of Assam will lose their culture and language," said Sarma.

The contentious Bill is now set to lapse on June 3 when the term of the present Lok Sabha ends.

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